Or the competitive nature that flares up every time he gets around a racetrack and keeps him from giving up on his dream of resurrecting his
NASCAR
career.

In recent months, however, the Danbury native has been consumed by another force.

His name is David Gilliland.

And if Nadeau's gut is correct, the NASCAR brethren won't be able to ignore Gilliland's talents.

Having been out of racing for three years since nearly losing his life in that May 2003 crash, Nadeau has made a return of sorts this season. The former Nextel Cup winner is working as a consultant for first-year

"I tried some different things like being a racing school instructor ... but it was like, I'm not real happy doing what I'm doing now," Nadeau said. "(The team) called and asked if I would help David out with this being his first year in Busch, and I figured, heck, I wasn't doing much anyway. There's not much that I can really tell him, though, because he's so good. He's a better caliber of driver than I was starting out."

But when owner Clay Andrews went searching for a mentor for the 30-year-old Gilliland, a former Grand National Division
West Series
Rookie of the Year, Nadeau's seven years of Cup experience is what popped into his head first.

"Jerry brings a lot of experience, and that's really helped me a lot because I've never been to most of these tracks," said Gilliland, who is running a partial schedule this year and has made six career Busch Series starts. "He's been there and done that and been successful at it."

Before joining the Clay Andrews crew, Nadeau had spent much of the last few years doting on his daughter Natalie and rehabilitating himself from the neurological injuries that left him unconscious for 20 days and forced him to learn how to walk again.

The lengthy healing process proved an exercise in frustration for the energetic Nadeau. But it paled in comparison to the torment he felt whenever he watched a green flag drop in a Cup race.

"It drives me crazy (not being able to compete)," Nadeau said. "I rarely watch races that much, but when I do, not a second goes by that I don't think about coming back. I would rather break every bone in my body than have a head injury. But I'm doing great now. I'm way better than I was a year and a half ago."

The excitement in Nadeau's voice when he talks about Gilliland is proof that his physical improvement isn't the only reason his attitude is upbeat.

Gilliland earned his Busch Series ride by showing some aggressiveness on and off the track. Although his initial phone call to Andrews went unreturned, the California native captured the
Toyota All-Star Challenge
in Irwindale, Calif., last year, prompting Andrews to finally pick up the phone and ask if Gilliland wanted a more challenging ride.

"I made the first phone call and Clay made the last one," Gilliland joked. "(Running the Busch Series) has been a little bit of a bigger challenge than I expected it to be. We're building new cars and our own motors, and it's been a challenge to our team. But I definitely have the confidence that we can succeed."

In four starts this year, Gilliland has an average finish of 32.7 but flashed his potential when he started 11th at
Texas Motor Speedway
in April and was the top rookie qualifier.

"When I saw him in Texas I was like 'Where did this kid come from?"' Nadeau said. "I'm amazed by how intelligent and how much more advanced he is than most of the racers out there. He's ready to get into a good car with good motors now."

While Nadeau is working to help Gilliland and Clay Andrews Racing become a force in the Busch Series, he worries the tribulations that come with being part of a non-Cup affiliated, single-car team will swallow his protege before he can show his true ability.

"There have been a few times when he's gone to the track with only one car and it's hard to do your best when ... if you make a mistake, you go home," Nadeau said. "He just needs a shot. If things don't work out with Clay, someone needs to look at David very heavily.

"It would be easier if I were still racing. It would be easier to get him into a good ride."

If the news from his doctors continues to be good, Nadeau believes racing fans just might witness the comeback he has been unable to stop dreaming about.

"I just want to make sure I'm ready," Nadeau said. "I told myself two and a half years ago that if I can't come back 100 percent there is no use to me doing it. I think that, if anything, I'll be a smarter driver from before. For now, I'm just thinking about getting myself fit and ready."